The burning of coal, oil, and gas, as well as other human practices such as intensive agriculture and deforestation contribute to the generation of excessive greenhouse gases that pollute the atmosphere and lead to climate change impacts across the globe. Not only is climate change posing significant environmental issues, but it is increasing social inequality within and between countries.
We need to move away from fossil fuels – oil, coal and gas – as soon as possible. New fossil fuel infrastructure is incompatible with global, EU, and national carbon emission reduction targets. The proposed Melita gas pipeline would lock Malta into a fossil fuel future. We need to ensure that any public investment is compatible with climate targets, and avoid funding any new fossil fuel infrastructure at all costs.
Our country should prepare for a climate proof future and move away from fossil fuels as fast as possible. We need to ensure there is a plan for a gas phase-out by 2035 latest. In the short term, we need a new Renewable Energy Policy, outlining the pathway to zero emissions and clean renewable energy for the Maltese Islands.
Today, Malta’s energy demands are primarily met through the use of gas-fired turbines using liquefied natural gas (LNG), a polluting fossil fuel. It’s imported to Malta via marine carriers, which involves considerable energy for its transport and contributes to significant greenhouse gas emissions throughout its lifecycle.
Swipe the carousel to find out more about pitfalls of using gas:
We need to move away from fossil fuels as soon as possible. New fossil fuel infrastructure is incompatible with global, EU, and national carbon emission reduction targets. This includes the proposed Melita gas pipeline, which would lock Malta into a fossil fuel future! We should invest in the energy of the future, not of the past!
Watch the video below to learn more about the proposed Melita gas pipeline, and why we should push for investment in renewables, energy savings and community energy instead.
Since the EU will not finance purely fossil fuel infrastructure any longer, the Melita TransGas Pipeline was rebranded as a ‘hydrogen-ready’ pipeline. However, experts state it is not that straightforward to make gas infrastructure suitable for hydrogen transport. It is a much smaller molecule and needs at least 3 times more energy to be transported through a pipeline, as well as posing greater risks for leakages. We need to ensure that hydrogen is not used as a veil to greenwash the fossil gas pipeline project.
While hydrogen may be presented as a type of ‘green’ energy, currently 99% of hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels. The main type of hydrogen available today, ‘grey’ hydrogen, is created via steam-reforming from gas or coal – yes, fossil fuels! ‘Blue’ hydrogen is based on the same process as ‘grey’, but includes carbon capture and storage (CCS) mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions, which have yet to be proven to work.
Swipe the carousel to find out why hydrogen is not a green fuel at all:
Amidst news about heat waves, extreme weather events and climate chaos, it is easy to despair. However, there is nothing as powerful as collective action to show we are not alone and that solutions for a brighter future exist.
Friends of the Earth Malta is bringing together hopeful visions for Malta’s future in a zine ‘Imagining a Fossil Free Malta’ to share inspiration and calls to action
Vera, a dedicated environmental advocate here in Malta, recently attended the Climate Care Camp in Denmark and has come away with a wealth of insights and inspiration.
This week, in response to a public consultation (NL-0020-2024) from the the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour, Friends of the Earth Malta (FOEM) submitted their input regarding Guidelines for Catering Establishments on Food Containers and Beverage Cups.
Last week, we explored micromobility in Ljubljana! The capital of Slovenia is well known for its walking and cycling-friendly policies, as it boasts the largest pedestrianised urban area in Europe.
A renewable energy community is a group that is legally formed and operates based on voluntary participation. It is controlled by individuals or organizations who are located near renewable energy projects owned by the community. The members of this community can be individuals, small businesses, or local government bodies such as municipalities.
Amidst news about heat waves, extreme weather events and climate chaos, it is easy to despair. However, there is nothing as powerful as collective action to show we are not alone and that solutions for a brighter future exist.
Friends of the Earth Malta is bringing together hopeful visions for Malta’s future in a zine ‘Imagining a Fossil Free Malta’ to share inspiration and calls to action
Last week, we explored micromobility in Ljubljana! The capital of Slovenia is well known for its walking and cycling-friendly policies, as it boasts the largest pedestrianised urban area in Europe.
On World Bicycle Day on 3rd June, we hosted an Urban Cycling Skills Training, aimed at boosting the confidence of cyclists!
This week, Kamra tal-Periti (KTP) presented their proposal for the Msida Creek area, proposing a nature-based solution consisting of human-centric streets and a wooded green area as an alternative to Infrastructure Malta’s plans for the mega flyovers which will dominate Msida.
A renewable energy community is a group that is legally formed and operates based on voluntary participation. It is controlled by individuals or organizations who are located near renewable energy projects owned by the community. The members of this community can be individuals, small businesses, or local government bodies such as municipalities.
Friends of the Earth Malta (FoEM) expresses its serious concerns regarding the lack of participation for citizens and civil society in the draft and final National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) of Malta. These plans are an obligation on EU Member States to outline how they intend to address decarbonisation, energy efficiency, energy security and the internal energy market, as well as research, innovation and competitiveness in the energy sector, to meet the European Union 2030 targets for energy and climate. The deadline for governments to submit their final NECP is 30 June 2024, in just 9 days.
Micromobility encompasses most small one-person vehicles that operate at low speeds and are not gas-powered, from active modes like walking and cycling to skateboards, electric bicycles, kick scooters, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters.
